Walk a mile

Forgotten Grave

The weeds shove through the soil,
Crowding, relentless, without respect.
Not a single petal brightens the soil,
Not a shred of pretty colour.

Winter rain runs in rivulets across granite stone,
Like tears, sombre and grey.
The sky rages and the ground weeps
And puddles of sorrow litter the earth.

In summer the grass withers in the heat,
Tired, crumbling…dying.
Tattered shreds of dignity tremble
As the wind sends a mournful wail across the clearing.

On April 25th, footsteps break the silence
And a woman kneels, grieves.
When she leaves, a single red poppy stands proud,
Paying its respects to the soldier’s grave.


Free verse. Written 6 March 2013.

Grand prize winner of "HONORING OUR VETERANS "  (March 2013).
First place in the "Shadows and Light Poetry Contest"  (June-July 2013).

In memory of Staff Sergeant Stanley G Bone, DFM, Glider Pilot Regiment, and Lance Corporal Richard W Maud, 1st SBS Regiment. We will remember them.